Past News Releases

Brookhaven Retreat ® LLC will celebrate National More Herbs, Less Salt Day Aug. 29 by picking the herbs grown on the beautifully manicured grounds of the facility in Seymour, TN.

Herbs grown in the garden at Brookhaven Retreat include basil, mint, cilantro, parsley, lavender, oregano and chives, to name a few. Clients will receive a chart breaking down the benefits and best uses of each herb and will learn how to apply each herb to their diets and daily use.

National More Herbs, Less Salt Day was founded by Thomas and Ruth Roy of the company Wellcat Holidays and Herbs to promote a healthier lifestyle. Like salt, herbs add delicious flavor to food without posing a threat to healthy blood pressure levels. If salt is added to a dish, sea salt is the better choice rather than table salt.

For instance, basil is used to reduce the risk of age-related mental disorders, and is also an excellent source of vitamin K and manganese, copper and vitamin C, as well as calcium, iron, folate and omega-3 fatty acids. Lavender is used both externally and internally for healing. The essential oil is used for aromatherapy as a relaxant and mood enhancer. It can also treat fatigue, restlessness, nervousness, headaches and insomnia.

“During their stay here, women enjoy the therapeutic benefits of gardening as well as the reward of experiencing the herbs and vegetables they’ve grown,” says Jacqueline Dawes, Brookhaven Retreat’s founder. “Gardening is a relaxing way to manage stress and anxiety and encourages mindfulness, a skill that helps regulate emotions. Digging into the dirt uplifts spirits, boosts optimism and promotes feelings of appreciation and positivity.”

About Brookhaven Retreat
Brookhaven Retreat is a women's treatment center nestled on a naturally beautiful 48-acre site secluded in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. It has helped hundreds of women across the United States overcome depression, trauma, anxiety, substance use and a range of other behavioral health challenges. Brookhaven’s Founder, Jacqueline Dawes, has predicated its gender-specific treatment on “healing emotional breakage” for women. In this way, she has established a sanctuary and a place where women can feel safe, secure and cared for by a staff of highly trained professionals.